If you asked the average hockey fan who currently leads the league in scoring, you may get some incorrect answers. Edmonton Oilers stars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl–who have taken home the Art Ross Trophy in four of the last five seasons–sit right near the top as expected, but it’s Florida Panthers sensation Jonathan Huberdeau that’s currently leading the way with 64 points in 47 games.
The fact that Huberdeau is among the league’s elite offensive talents shouldn’t really come as a surprise given his performance the past few seasons, and yet he is just now starting to get the recognition he deserves. Since 2018-19, the dynamic winger has 295 points in 253 games, scoring at least a point-per-game in each of the previous three seasons. At his current pace he’s set to break the 100-point threshold for the first time and currently has a healthy lead in the assist race with 47 already. Huberdeau is a legitimate Hart Trophy contender this year and if he wins the scoring race, it’ll be hard to vote for anyone else.
The two Edmonton forwards though are still right on his heels with the added benefit of the Oilers only playing 42 games to this point. Draisaitl leads the Oilers race with 63 points, while McDavid–a three-time scoring champ–has 60 so far despite a recent slump of seven points in his last nine games.
Nazem Kadri meanwhile, who hasn’t ever recorded more than 61 points in a single season, is tied with McDavid for third place with his 60-point first half. The Colorado Avalanche forward took advantage of the absence of Nathan MacKinnon earlier this season and has just continued to perform at an elevated level. With an expiring contract and unrestricted free agent status around the corner, Kadri’s push for the title could result in a huge windfall this summer.
Johnny Gaudreau, Mikko Rantanen, Kirill Kaprizov, and others should be mentioned as well, but it’s a much older player who really deserves attention here. Alex Ovechkin, the winner of the 2008 Art Ross, is within striking distance of the leaders at age-36. The Russian Machine is on pace to break 100 points for the first time since 2010 and could potentially take home his tenth Rocket Richard trophy as the league’s top goal scorer with a strong second half. It’s incredible what Ovechkin has been able to do this season after signing a new five-year deal with the Washington Capitals in the offseason and at this point is showing no signs of slowing down.
So who will actually take home the trophy at the end of the year? Vegas still has McDavid as the odds-on favorite to win his fourth in six years, but will he be able to stave off the other contenders? We’ve listed all the players who have eclipsed 50 points already, but if there’s someone else you think can climb the rankings in the second half, make sure to leave their name in the comments.
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